Our admirable avian allies

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

https://imgur.com/gallery/PzlZHD5

Poor little buggers.

We acquired a ducklet two days ago ...

Full story and pictures to follow.

[storm5510]

Originally Posted by xilman

Poor little buggers.

We acquired a ducklet two days ago ...

Full story and pictures to follow.

They look more like geese. Their necks are too long for ducks.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by storm5510

They look more like geese. Their necks are too long for ducks.

Back in the days when I was punting on the Cherwell we had a convention. Any bird on the river was a duck, unless it was a swan for which a special exception was made.

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by xilman

Any bird on the river was a duck, unless it was a swan for which a special exception was made.

Is that because of the ownership of said swans?

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by storm5510

Great Horned Owlets orphaned by windstorms in Wisconsin. The adult male may not be their biological father, but it made no difference to him. He immediately took them as his own.

Thanks for sharing this. Cathartic.

We have a bird feeder outside our kitchen window. No birds bigger than pigeons here. But it's nice helping them all.

[Dr Sardonicus]

In April, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources issued a recommendation against putting out bird feeders or bird baths until May 31, to help prevent the spread of avian flu.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

Is that because of the ownership of said swans?

I really don't know.

[BudgieJane]

Originally Posted by xilman

I really don't know.

Maybe it was because many people think swans can break your arm if you annoy them, so it's better to be safe than sorry and give them a wide berth.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by BudgieJane

Maybe it was because many people think swans can break your arm if you annoy them, so it's better to be safe than sorry and give them a wide berth.

Lady Beryl Streeb-Greebling—a 'wonderful dancer' who was still dancing at 107 years of age, and who was capable of breaking a swan's wing with a blow of her nose.